attempting to afford an overly luxurious tadpole

i've never had a recumbent yet, but it's been my "next in line" bike build/purchase for some time (it's about the only kind of bike i wouldn't be sure of building up myself). so, it would seem that this is way excessive for a first model at USD5000. however... i'll be married in three months, and the wife's not so graceful on a bike. so any trips we might do together would be much better on a tandem. and since i was pretty sold on a tadpole for my recumbent anyway, she could also use it as her main single bike, what with no need to balance and all. so, this model makes total sense as a triple investment (tandem, recumbent for me, easy-to-ride-means-she'll-use-it-more bike for her).

so, i do want yinz's imput on my logic or unlogic there. however, here's the issue: i'm a bike messenger. this thing is 1/2 or 1/3 my normal work income for a year! she's not a high roller either. we live very cheaply. but it would be unwise to dedicate that much money to a single object.. other than our 2800 square foot mansion we and another friend just bought for USD18,000! anyway, does any of you know of any similar product from a not-so-reputable company? or know which trident chameleon owner wants to sell his to me used?

IMHO there is probably a trike that would be just as good but not cost as much. Ever increasing prices gets you a better machine ----------- up to a point. Then you are just buying a name or snob appeal.

On a slightly different note, almost all old people admit they are more sorry for what they didnt do than what they did. If that trike is a burning want----go for it.

There is nothing snobbish at all about the Trident Chameleon. It is one of the most affordable tandem trikes out there, with the bonus of the convertability. It's a super value. It's not like you are getting a Calfee or an ICE tandem (not made anymore) or a Greenspeed GTT. Those all cost $8K on up.

A few other thoughts:

1. How quick is it to convert? Might be more hassle than you'd think depending on how often you do it.
2. You can buy two nice single tadpole trikes for less.
3. You can buy two delta trikes like the Rans Trizard for less and you'd be getting three trikes for the price of two, since they can be hitched together to form a tandem when desired - even on the fly if you stow the stoker trikes front wheel somewhere.
4. You can buy two wheel recumbent tandem, used, for a lot less - often in the low $3K's.